Skip to content
  • Subscribe
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Email
  • Home
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment
  • Features
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
Suburban Chicagoland

Suburban Chicagoland

Original News, Features & Opinion on local and regional news you won't find anywhere else

  • About
    • About
    • Advertise
    • Our Writers
      • Ray Hanania
      • Bill Lipinski
      • Biography: Aaron Hanania
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Reach Out
  • Sections
    • Events
    • Opinion
    • News
    • Features
    • Seniors
    • Comic Strip
  • Library
    • “MIdnight Flight” Online Book
      • Midnight Flight Book Overview
      • Midnight Flight Introduction
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 1
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 2
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 3
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 4
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 5
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 6
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 7
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 8
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 9
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 10
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 11
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 12
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 13
    • Villages, Cities & Towns
    • Federal Office Holders
    • County Officials
    • Legislators
  • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
  • Comment
  • Podcast
    • Ray Hanania on Politics
    • Two Guys on Politics
    • Hanania on Tiktok
  • News Wire
  • Archive 2004-2013
  • Toggle search form
  • Father and two daughters Jeffery M Leving
    Father’s Fight to Protect his Abused and Badly Beaten Daughters Dads' Rights
  • Illinois Senator Michael Hastings addressing the Orland Township Democratic Organization Wednesday Oct. 12, 2022
    Hastings announces $75,000 grant for Olympia Fields Bicentennial Park renovations Illinois Legislature
  • Alleged Member of Chicago Street Gang Charged With Soliciting the Murder of Senior Law Enforcement Official Involved in “Operation Midway Blitz” Crime
  • IIEC Logo
    The Energy Omnibus Bill will increase rates over the rest of this decade as Illinois families and businesses toil under higher utility costs Business
  • Thaddeus Kosciuszko, Polish hero of the American Revolution. After arriving in America in 1776, Kosciuszko joined the Continental Army. As a skilled engineer, he made significant contributions to the war by designing fortifications for several strategic places such as Philadelphia, West Point, and Saratoga. Kosciuszko later returned to Poland to lead his native military in a 1794 uprising. In Detroit, Courtesy of WIkipedia
    Cook County Treasurer Pappas showcases Polish photographer’s first-ever American exhibit and honors Polish American Heritage Month in Chicago Cook County
  • On Saturday, October 4th, Cook County Commissioner Frank J. Aguilar hosted the Fifth Annual 16th District Dia de los Muertos Resource Fair at his district office. Partnering with Commissioner Aguilar were the Village of Lyons, Lyons School District 103, Teamsters Local 777, and Rincon Family Services.
    Commissioner Frank J. Aguilar Hosts Fifth Annual Dia de los Muertos Family Resource Fair  Cook County
  • Jesse Jackson Jr July 2025
    Jesse Jackson Jr. Launches Candidacy for Congress Civil Rights
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas to Celebrate Diwali by Recognizing Indian Community Leaders Cook County
  • Andrew Boutros US Attorney Illinois
    Statement of US Attorney Andrew S. Boutros and Federal Law Enforcement Leadership in Chicago on Ongoing Criminal Immigration Enforcement Operations Chicago
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    The 5 Most Common Mistakes Homeowners Make with Property Taxes Cook County
  • Road construction cement truck. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania
    Hastings: $123 million in IDOT projects will improve South Suburban roads through collaboration with local leaders construction
  • Source: Electric Power Monthly - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)
    Ratepayers will lose in the rush to approve battery storage electricity legislation in Springfield Business
  • Joyful reunion photo courtesy of Jeffery M. Leving & Assc law firm
    Leving Team Prevented a Father’s Wrongful Separation from His Child Dads' Rights
  • CTF Illinois Orland Park, 18230 Orland Pkwy, Orland Park, IL 60467
    Hastings, Giannoulias announce opening of temporary driver services facility in Orland Park Baby Boomers
  • Emagine Theater Pink popcorn
    Popcorn with a purpose: Emagine Theatres brings back Pink Caramel Corn to support Pink Fund during Breast Cancer Awareness Month Business
Democratic candidate Fritz Kaegi speaks at a public forum at the Union League Club on property tax reform. Photo courtesy of the ICPR

Kaegi Vows to Fix Broken Property Tax System

Posted on August 29, 2018September 28, 2018 By Ray Hanania No Comments on Kaegi Vows to Fix Broken Property Tax System
SHARE THIS STORY
            
 
  

Kaegi Vows to Fix Broken Property Tax System

Cook County assessor hopeful Fritz Kaegi, who bested incumbent Joseph Berrios in the Democratic primary, pledged to attendees of an Illinois Campaign for Political Reform event that the obscure yet critical office will be more transparent and accountable under his watch.

“You don’t need me to tell you what happens when government offices get corrupted for the political and economic benefit of the select few,” Kaegi said at the Aug. 22 “Show Us the Money” forum. “Ethical issues, a lack of transparency, pay to play, nepotism – these are all hallmarks of machine politics.”

Kaegi, an asset manager from Oak Park, beat two-term incumbent Berrios, then head of the Cook County Democratic Party, with 45% of the vote in a three-way March primary. Kaegi repeatedly criticized Berrios for overseeing an unfair property tax assessment system while he hired relatives and took campaign cash from lawyers doing business with the office. Kaegi spent more than $2 million in the race, most of it his own money.

View the video of Kaegi’s comments using the widget below or by clicking here.

“Even The Economist magazine covered this race. I can’t think of an instance where The Economist has ever written about an American county assessor’s race… can you?” Kaegi remarked to attendees at the Union League Club. “It’s a little alarming when this office, which is pretty technical, is so interesting. Well, if I do my job right… we’re going to make this office less interesting.”

Kaegi gave a 25 minute opening speech at ICPR’s “Show Us the Money” forum at the Union League Club of Chicago on Aug. 22.

The assessor’s office evaluates all properties in the county to determine their taxable value. If properties are assessed at more than they would sell for, then those owners pay more in property taxes than they should and vice versa.

Democratic candidate Fritz Kaegi speaks at a public forum at the Union League Club on property tax reform. Photo courtesy of the ICPR
Democratic candidate Fritz Kaegi speaks at a public forum at the Union League Club on property tax reform. Photo courtesy of the ICPR

A Chicago Tribune and ProPublica Illinois investigative series titled “The Tax Divide” found last year that systemic problems with the county’s assessment process were leading to poor residents paying more than their fair share in property taxes. The reporters who wrote the series headlined ICPR’s first “Show Us the Money” forum in July.

Kaegi gave a 25 minute opening speech followed by a question and answer session with ICPR Executive Director Mary Miro and forum attendees. Kaegi told attendees the inequities in the assessment system create real economic consequences for the average person.

“This is money that should be kept in people’s pockets to spend on their families. It’s money that’s not supporting local businesses. It’s money that’s not generating jobs in the neighborhood,” Kaegi said. “This is displacing people from their homes and creating vacancies. In total, what this does is lead to shrinking populations and boarded-up storefronts and neighborhoods.”

Since winning the primary, Kaegi said he and his team have focused on creating a plan to make the assessor’s office “ethical, transparent and fair.” Kaegi has promised not to accept campaign contributions from property tax lawyers doing business with the office. He has also promised to have third parties evaluate the assessment system to ensure fairness.

Miro asked Kaegi how he will prioritize his agenda and when residents can expect reforms to take shape. Kaegi said instituting high ethical standards will create the most immediate impact.

“That’s the necessary starting point for making the change, changing the culture, for building trust,” Kaegi said. “It will also be very healthy for people working in the office to know that we can’t be getting it wrong and not be held accountable for it.”

The next step, he said, is to ensure the assessment system is repaired and made transparent to the public as soon as technologically feasible. Kaegi said modeling an assessment system will be a “slow grind” because of how large Cook County is. Therefore, he said his team will be focused on properly training and equipping staff with better technology to ensure the assessments are done accurately the first time.

Kaegi vowed to have a sense of urgency about his reform plans.

“It’s urgent because every year that this happens people are being displaced,” Kaegi said. “This is money out of people’s pockets [and] people are being driven into bankruptcy.”

Kaegi faces Republican candidate Joseph Paglia of Chicago on the November ballot.

Visit Kaegi’s Facebook Page by clicking here.

newswire info
  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Ray Hanania
Ray Hanania
Ray Hanania is an award-winning columnist, author & former Chicago City Hall reporter (1977-1992). A veteran who served during the Vietnam War and the recipient of four SPJ Peter Lisagor Awards for column writing, Hanania writes weekly opinion columns on mainstream American & Chicagoland topics for the Southwest News-Herald, Des Plaines Valley News, the Regional News, The Reporter Newspapers, and Suburban Chicagoland.  

His award winning columns can be found at www.HANANIA.COM Subscribe FREE today

Hanania also writes about Middle East issues for the Arab News, and The Arab Daily News criticizing government policies in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Hanania was named "Best Ethnic American Columnist" by the New America Media in November 2007, and is the 2009 recipient of the SPJ National Sigma Delta Chi Award for column writing.

Email Ray Hanania at [email protected].

Follow RayHanania at Twitter
Ray Hanania
Latest posts by Ray Hanania (see all)
  • Father’s Fight to Protect his Abused and Badly Beaten Daughters - October 9, 2025
  • Hastings announces $75,000 grant for Olympia Fields Bicentennial Park renovations - October 8, 2025
  • Alleged Member of Chicago Street Gang Charged With Soliciting the Murder of Senior Law Enforcement Official Involved in “Operation Midway Blitz” - October 8, 2025
NPV: 33
  • Tweet

SHARE THIS STORY
            
 
  
 
 
 
           
elections, Government, News, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes Tags:2018, Cook County taxes, Democrat, Fritz Kaegi, General Election, Joe Berrios, November 6

Post navigation

Previous Post: Senator Sanders slams Amazon on poor employee treatment
Next Post: Erika Harold campaign launches new Digital Ad: “Grandma”

Related Posts

  • Cook County Commissioner Frank Aguilar
    Cook County Health awards over $14 million in community grants for behavioral health interventions Cook County
  • CDC Image of girl sneezing. Coronavirus
    Health groups questions longterm impact of COVID-19 vaccinations coronavirus
  • Summit family’s tradition continues News
  • Coffee & Conversation Orland Fire Protection District May through October 2020
    Orland Fire’s popular Coffee & Conversation resumes with virtual online meetings Briefs
  • Chicago Auto Show Photo courtesy Ray Hanania
    Chicago’s Top Holiday & Seasonal Events Briefs
  • Lottery Geeks releases frequency of which numbers are most selected by lottery
    New study reveals which are the most selected lottery numbers Business

More Related Articles

Senator Bernie Sanders announces re-election bid Senator Bernie Sanders to seek re-election to U.S. Senate elections
Seconds before President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas on Nov. 22, 1963, by several gunmen. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia and the Library of Congress. President John F. Kennedy motorcade, Dallas, Texas, Friday, November 22, 1963. Also in the presidential limousine are Jackie Kennedy, Texas Governor John Connally and his wife, Nellie. Recent Ray Hanania columns you might have missed on President Carter, Tom Cotton, Keith Pekau, Camelot, and JFK assassination Chicago
Congresswoman Lauren Underwood voting in the U.S. House of Representatives. Photo courtesy of Lauren Underwood Underwood supports family tax refunds during shutdown Business
Rows and rows of gas grills at suburban stores. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania Orland Fire offers tips on avoiding mishaps while barbecuing Events
Scott R. Kaspar Scott Kaspar announces candidacy for Congress in 6th District elections
Fathers Rights Attorney Jeffery M. Leving Divorced dad recovered thousands in back child support Jeffery Leving

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Login with your Social ID
  • OPINION
  • 06-04-25 Two Guys on Politics Background Zoom LOGO with images
    Video Podcast: Trump Kimmel Kirk Great American Divide Illegal Aliens polling and Illegal Aliens and ICE
    September 20, 2025
  • Illinois House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch speaking at a West Side affordable housing dedication
    Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, one of the best candidates to become Illinois Governor
    September 7, 2025
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    What You’re Missing on Your Property Tax Bill
    September 5, 2025
  • 05-23-25 Jeffery M. Leving
    Children of divorce caught in the middle during the holidays
    August 27, 2025
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    We Can Help You Understand Your Property Taxes—In Nearly Any Language
    August 8, 2025
Subscribe to Ray Hanania's column graphic

Enter Your Email to Subscribe to Ray Hanania’s Columns

  • The-Kings-Pawn-Book-300-x-300.png

Mohammed Faheem The Lightning Strike Radio

  • NEWS
  • Father and two daughters Jeffery M Leving
    Father’s Fight to Protect his Abused and Badly Beaten Daughters
    October 9, 2025
  • Illinois Senator Michael Hastings addressing the Orland Township Democratic Organization Wednesday Oct. 12, 2022
    Hastings announces $75,000 grant for Olympia Fields Bicentennial Park renovations
    October 8, 2025
  • Alleged Member of Chicago Street Gang Charged With Soliciting the Murder of Senior Law Enforcement Official Involved in “Operation Midway Blitz”
    October 8, 2025
  • IIEC Logo
    The Energy Omnibus Bill will increase rates over the rest of this decade as Illinois families and businesses toil under higher utility costs
    October 8, 2025
  • Thaddeus Kosciuszko, Polish hero of the American Revolution. After arriving in America in 1776, Kosciuszko joined the Continental Army. As a skilled engineer, he made significant contributions to the war by designing fortifications for several strategic places such as Philadelphia, West Point, and Saratoga. Kosciuszko later returned to Poland to lead his native military in a 1794 uprising. In Detroit, Courtesy of WIkipedia
    Cook County Treasurer Pappas showcases Polish photographer’s first-ever American exhibit and honors Polish American Heritage Month in Chicago
    October 8, 2025
John Kass Columns

Order the book PoweR PR; Ethnic Activists Guide to Strategic Communications

YOUTUBE VIDEOS

CLICK TO SUBSCRIBE TO RAY HANANIA'S YOUTUBE VIDEOS


Click here to view the video on YouTube or use the widget below.

Follow Ray Hanania at
Twitter
Facebook
TitkTok
BlueSky
RayHanania Columns

Creative Commons License
All works on this website is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Do not edit original work. Give credit to the original source.

Categories

Copyright © 2022 Suburban Chicagoland & Urban Strategies Group

Powered by PressBook Premium theme